Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships

Office of the Chief of Naval Operations
Naval History Division • Washington

USS LSM-5

(LSM-5: dp. 900; l. 203'6"; b. 34'; dr. 6'11" (fwd), 3'5" (aft); s. 13 k.; a. 2 40mm, 4 20mm; cpl. 58)

LSM-5 was laid down at the Brown Shipbuilding Corp., Houston, Tex., on 1 March 1944; launched 9 April 1944; and commissioned 22 May 1944, Lt. Arthur K. Henderson, USNR, in command.

On 1 May the Medium Landing Ship reported to ComPhiTraLant for duty and a shakedown cruise. Assigned to the Pacific Theater, LSM-5 transited the Panama Canal on 12 February 1945 and reported to CinCPac 13 February 1945.

Deemed not essential to the defense of the United States after the war, LSM-5 was decommissioned on 8 July 1946 and Saipan, and struck from the Navy list 15 August 1946.

Transcript of Ship's Log

 
  U.S.S. LSM #5
% Fleet Post Office
San Francisco, California.
LSM5/A12-1/VSU:fa
Serial: 89		   3 February 1946
From: Commanding Officer.  
To: Secretary of the Navy, Public Information, Washington, D. C.  
Subj: Ship's History Supplement, 1 October 1945 to 31 December 1945.  
Reference: (a) ALPAC 318
 

  1. The following supplement to ship's history for U.S.S. LSM #5 is submitted in accordance with ALPAC 318:
    1 October 1945
    to
    7 October 1945    		 Ship at Saishu Island, Korea engaged in dumping confiscated Japanese equipment into the sea.
    7 October 1945
    to
    8 October 1945    		 Carried load of Army Personnel to Jinsen, Korea after successfully completing disarming of Japanese Army at Saishu To.
    8 October 1945
    to
    30 October 1945    		 Engaged in lighterage duty at Tidal Basin, Jinsen, Korea.
    30 October 1945
    to
    2 November 1945    		 Proceeded to Chinkai, Korea from Jinsen, Korea with passengers and mail. While en route on 1 November 1945, received a radio message requesting assistance to U.S.S. Bridge (AF 1) which had struck a mine near a group of islands off Fusan, Korea. Proceeded at flank speed to U.S.S. Bridge and found her in sinking condition. Transferred all pumping facilities to her, and unsuccessfully tried to take her in tow. Proceeded to Fusan, Korea 1000 yards a stern of U.S.S. Bridge which was being towed. Proceeded from Fusan to Chinkai, Korea after damaged ship had been escorted to safety.
    2 November 1945
    to
    5 November 1945    		 Moored at dock in Chinkai, Korea being loaded with supplies and personnel for Jinsen, Korea.
    6 November 1945
    to
    7 November 1945    		 Returned from Chinkai to Jinsen, Korea.
    8 November 1945
    to
    4 December 1945    		 Engaged in lighterage duty at Jinsen, Korea.
    4 December 1945
    to
    12 December 1945    		 Proceeded to Guam.
    12 December 1945
    to
    17 December 1945    		 Anchored in Apra Harbor, Guam.
    17 December 1945
    to
    		 Ship screened. High point personnel transferred to ships returning to the United States.
    18 December 1945
    to
    19 December 1945    		 Proceeded to Saipan to pick up a load for Marcus Island.
    19 December 1945 Victor S. UNDERWOOD Lt. (jg) USNR 313567, from Ithaca, New York relieved Arthur K. HENDERSON Lt. USNR 171604 from Lawrenceville, Illinois as commanding officer of ship. Lt. HENDERSON who had been commanding officer for 19 months, since the ship had been commissioned, was released for discharge.
    19 December 1945
    to
    27 December 1945    		 On beach at Saipan being loaded for Marcus Island.
    28 December 1945 Underway for Marcus Island.
    31 December 1945 Entered channel at Marcus Island and struck reef amidships on the starboard side. Engine room flooded to a depth of 8 feet and all power was lost. Ship beached and settled to the bottom to a point aft of the conn. Day spent in salvage operations and unloading of ship's cargo and fuel to lighten her.

V. S. UNDERWOOD

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Transcribed and formatted for HTML by Patrick Clancey, HyperWar Foundation